Bathtub cleaning brush

ABSTRACT

Bathtub cleaning brush with an elongate handle, a Y shaped joint, a U shaped joint, a bristle retaining member having an elongate partial cylindrical shape and having a flat bottom portion, a plurality of soft bristles and a plurality of stiff bristles. The U shaped joint is centrally pinned to the Y shaped joint and the U shaped joint is centrally pinned to the bristle retaining member. The bristles are fixed to the elongate cylindrical shape in a radial manner. The Y joint and the U joint create a universal joint that allows the bristle retaining member to pivot in any direction. The bristles are arranged in the bristle retaining member so that the stiff bristles alternate with the soft bristles to provide the combination of scrubbing properties and soap holding properties. A preferred embodiment includes the elongate handle can include a standard extension arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning brushes andmore specifically to a bathtub cleaning brush.

Cleaning brushes of many kinds have been available in the market placefor many years. Many of these brushes employ a handle, a bristleretaining member and a plurality of bristles.

The shape of the bristle retaining head and attached bristles as well asthe design of the handle portion vary with the intended end use.

Some brushes and sponge mop devices have been designed to clean thesurfaces of bathtubs. They tend to have long handles so that the usercan reach all parts of the tub without necessarily getting into the tub.

However, there are deficiencies in existing bathtub cleaning brushdesigns in that they do not have the flexibility to quickly adjustangles as the user passes the brush from one side surface to another tothe bottom surface. Additionally, currently existing brushes do not havethe ability to provide an effective scrubbing action as well as aneffective soap holding ability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cleaning brush forbathtubs and the like that can easily adjust to the contours of a nonlinear surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub cleaning brushthat includes two bristle types, one that is designed to more easilyscrub compound curved surfaces while is capable of retaining liquidsoap.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed Bathtub cleaning brush comprising: an elongate handle, a Yshaped joint, a U shaped joint, a bristle retaining member having anelongate partial cylindrical shape and having a flat bottom portion, aplurality of soft bristles, a plurality of stiff bristles, said U shapedjoint centrally pinned to said Y shaped joint, said U shaped jointcentrally pinned to said bristle retaining member, said bristles fixedto said elongate cylindrical shape in a radial manner, said Y joint andsaid U joint creating a universal joint that allows said bristleretaining member to pivot in any direction, and said bristles arrangedin said bristle retaining member so that said stiff bristles alternatewith said soft bristles to provide the combination of scrubbingproperties and soap holding properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the bristle head portion of the invention

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bristle head portion of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the bathtubcleaning brush of the present invention. Elongate handle 2 terminates atone end in a Y shaped joint 6. A U shaped joint 10 is centrally pinned 8to the end of each leg of the Y 6. The U shaped joint 10 is pinned tothe bottom of the bristle retaining head 18 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 bydotted circular line 22. This joint configuration allows the bristlehead 18 to pivot forward and backward as shown by arrows 80, 82 and fromside to side as shown by arrows 30, 32. The bristles 12 are arranged ina radial fashion as shown in FIG. 2. The combination of the universaljoint formed by the Y member and the U member, as well as the radialshape of the bristles create a configuration that makes it easy for auser to clean all surfaces of a conventional bathtub without needing tochange the angle of the handle in the process. The bristles are uniquein that soft polyester bristles 14 are alternated with stiff nylonbristles 16 so that the brush 12 combines the properties of soapretaining bristles 14 along with the superior scrubbing qualities of thestiffer nylon bristles 16. FIG. 3 shows a section view of the bristleportion 12 as indicated by section arrow 90 shown in FIG. 2. Thebristles 12 are inserted into apertures 36 located on the surface of thebristle retaining member 18. Notice that the bristles 14, and 16alternate with each other. FIG. 4 and FIG. 1 shows that the bristles 14,16 alternate from row to row forming a radial checkerboardconfiguration. FIG. 1 also shows an embodiment of the handle 2 where itis comprised of a fixed length 3, a locking ring 4 and a telescopinglength 5 so that the handle length can be adjusted in a standard mannerto increase ease of use.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. Bathtub cleaning brush comprising: an elongate handle; a Y shapedjoint; a U shaped joint; a bristle retaining member having an elongatepartial cylindrical shape and having a flat bottom portion; a pluralityof soft bristles; a plurality of stiff bristles; said U shaped jointcentrally pinned to said Y shaped joint; said U shaped joint centrallypinned to said bristle retaining member; said bristles fixed to saidelongate cylindrical shape in a radial manner; said Y joint and said Ujoint creating a universal joint that allows said bristle retainingmember to pivot in any direction; and said bristles arranged in saidbristle retaining member so that said stiff bristles alternate with saidsoft bristles to provide the combination of scrubbing properties andsoap holding properties.
 2. Bathtub cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1wherein said elongate handle can include a standard extension arm. 3.Bathtub cleaning brush as claimed in claim 1 wherein said soft bristlesare made of fine soap retaining polyester filaments and said stiffbristles are made of thicker, nylon filaments.
 4. Bathtub cleaning brushas claimed in claim 1 wherein said soft bristles and said stiff bristlesalternate with each other to form a radial checkerboard pattern.